By Peterwilkes
United Kingdom 
AT MY OLD SCHOOL WE PLANTED IN 2006 A QUERCUS RUBRA,8 YEARS LATER IT HAS ONLY GROWN FROM 6 FT 2,TO 7FT 7 AND THE MAIN STEM IS STILL QUITE SLIM.
THERE ARE MATURE TREES ABOUT 10-12 FT AWAY.
COULD THE ROOT SYSTEM FROM FROM THESE TREES BE THE PROBLEM?
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO IMPROVE MATTERS,IT STILL APPEARS TO B HEALTHY AND GREENS UP ALRIGHT.
THANK YOU
PETER WILKES
22 Mar, 2014
Answers
Competition for water and nutrients could be an issue, the obvious thing is to selectively water and feed the Oak. Without seeing it, it's hard to say whether there would be light issues too....maybe a prune of the existing trees is needed (make sure you check for TPO's...tree preservation orders)
Of course, you have also chosen an oak tree....our slowest growing native tree !!!!! lol
22 Mar, 2014
Root competition could be an issue. Can you feed the tree and give it the odd watering during dry spells? A mulch around the base will help too of course.
22 Mar, 2014